Girls Scouts Honor `Famous Formers'

April 18, 1990

Several local executives were among 22 area women honored during a "Famous Formers" awards reception of the Colonial Coast Girl Scout Council held recently at the Omni in Virginia Beach.

Each award recipient has made significant contributions to her community and is a leader in her field of work or as a volunteer. They have also publicly recognized the value of Girl Scouting in their own lives and in the lives of girls today.

The event, which celebrated the contributions of individual women in their communities who were former Girl Scouts, also included a panel discussion on issues facing girls today.

Panelists were Dr. Christine Darden, senior project engineer at NASA Langley Research Center, and Mildred West, associate athletic director at The College of William and Mary. Among subjects discussed were those involving the impact of family crisis on girls, the importance of self-esteem in helping girls cope with their world, growing up female, the importance of math, science and technology for girls, and growing up in a multi-cultural society.

James Small III, vice president of marketing at First American Bank in Hampton, chairs the Colonial Coast Council Communications Committe that organized the "Famous Formers" program.

The Colonial Coast Girl Scout Council represents Girl Scouts on the East Coast of Virginia and North Carolina, from Gloucester to the Peninsula and the south side through Norfolk and Virginia Beach to Elizabeth City, N.C.

The Girl Scouts were founded in 1912 by Juliette Gordon Low, who inspired girls to overcome the limited role of women and celebrate their individuality.